WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to Larry Persily’s nomination to be Federal Coordinator of the Office of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects.

“I’m pleased that President Obama has moved quickly to fill this important position,” Murkowski said. “I’ve known Larry for years. He has solid knowledge of oil and gas industry finance and the state’s regulatory process. More importantly, from his decades in Alaska he knows how vital it is that a gas line gets built so the state can quickly get its gas to market for the benefit of current and future Alaskans.”

As federal coordinator, Persily will be responsible for integrating the activities of federal agencies involved in the permitting and construction of a pipeline to bring North Slope gas to markets in the Lower 48 states. Persily will report directly to the president.

“Commercializing Alaska’s vast reserves of natural gas is vital not only for the economy of the state, but the energy security of the nation as well,” Murkowski said. “We’ve waited decades for this project to get underway. I have faith that the new coordinator will do his upmost to see it completed successfully.”